The first table we saw when we entered was full of this book:
And they were accompanied by a sign stating the author, Ken Foster, would be at that very book store the following Saturday for a reading and signing. How serendipitous!
I picked up a copy and explained to Ryan that this was an exception to my earlier-stated rule of buying no books. He tried to get me to put it down, noting that he had one duty at the moment and he'd get in trouble if he didn't perform it satisfactorily. "No, no, you won't be in trouble. This is different. It's a not a novel, and this guy is going to be here next week! I can't pass this up." Ahh, my spending skills at work. I also managed to squeeze in buying a book for my cousin. If it's for someone else, it doesn't count, right?
I read the not-quite-a-coffee-table-but-good-for-conversation-starting book cover to cover that afternoon. Ken Foster describes wonderful stories of pit bulls just being dogs - because that's just what they are. I learned that "pit bull" is not actually a breed; it's just a hodge-podge of other breeds, among them labs, bulldogs, mastiffs and a variety of terriers. The theme of the book is that "pit bull" is a perception, and I agree. I experience it often. People actively antagonize me about my dog, sometimes passively, sometimes aggressively. Most of the time, I calmly make our case. Pictures of him help: him sleeping, being sweet, giving kisses, playing with his furry friends. But, sometimes, the antagonizers are relentless, and I lose my cool. I become heated with fury and forget to right words to say. I'm going to ask Ken Foster about this. I'm sure he's experienced the same; it's probably the reason he started the Sula Foundation and began writing books about his buddies. He might have an elevator pitch of sorts that I can memorize and rattle off when I can think of nothing else to say that doesn't expose my pain and weakness. Because, yes, Dasher is my weakness, and you best not mess with his Mama.
